In its first month of drilling operations on the Norwegian North Sea, hybrid, low-emissions jack-up Maersk Intrepid is delivering ‘promising’ initial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions, according to rig owner Maersk Drilling
“We’re thrilled to now see the full complement of low-emissions technology in use on Maersk Intrepid, and to receive a very promising first dataset on emissions reductions,” said Maersk Drilling head of integrity and projects Caroline Alting.
Ms Alting said it was too early to project average emissions reductions, but initial results were “very promising with reductions of around 25% compared to the rig’s baseline, driven by both energy-saving technology and behavioural changes supported by the low-emissions package.”
Maersk Integrity began working for Equinor in November on the Martin Linge field following its conversion with the full low-emissions package.
The full technology package was expected to deliver a double-digit energy savings potential, and an initial data point of reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by about 25% compared to the baseline average for the rig. Additionally, NOx emissions were reduced by approximately 95%, an improvement from the original target of 90%.
The installation of low-emissions technology is one of several sustainability initiatives supporting the Danish driller’s target of reducing CO2 emissions intensity by 50% by 2030. Other initiatives relating to CO2 reductions include operating rigs on shore power and participating in the Project Greensand Consortium, which is targeting the use of discontinued oil and gas fields for permanent storage of CO2 offshore Denmark.
The upgrades to Maersk Intrepid were supported by a grant from the Norwegian NOx Fund and by Equinor’s decision to introduce compensation formats to stimulate emissions reductions. The upgrades combine hybrid power with the installation of batteries, adding selective catalytic reduction units and cloud-based energy emissions efficiency software to provide real-time monitoring of energy use and continuous optimisation.
Maersk Drilling and Equinor have committed to exploring further initiatives to limit GHG emissions from drilling operations as part of the master frame agreement.
The full package of hybrid, low-emissions upgrades is also being installed on the ultra-harsh environment jack-up rig Maersk Integrator which is expected to start operating in full low-emissions mode in early 2021 in Norway.
An ultra-harsh environment CJ70 jack-up rig, Maersk Intrepid is designed for year-round operations in the North Sea. It was delivered in 2014 and has been operating in Norway ever since.
Riviera Maritime Media will hold a series of 45-minute webinars during Offshore Webinar week commencing 19 January 2021. Sign up to attend here
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.